From the Desk of Dan Radakovich
Dear Canes Community,
It might be August 1 but it’s already starting to feel like fall on campus as our four fall sports begin to report for the start of their seasons. Our football and soccer teams report today with our cross country and volleyball squads soon to follow. It’s an exciting time for Miami Athletics!
The energy that Mario Cristobal and his staff have created around Canes Football is palpable as we begin fall camp this week on Greentree. The team is fully invested in his mission, values and vision for the program. The college football world is taking notice as eight of our student-athletes have been named to preseason watch lists for awards at their respective positions, three were named to the Preseason All-ACC Team (Will Mallory, Zion Nelson and Lou Hedley) and the Canes were recently picked to win the ACC Coastal in the conference’s preseason poll.
Fans will have an opportunity to meet our football student-athletes at CanesFest this Saturday from 1-3 p.m. at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility. There will be an autograph session with the team, appearances by former Canes greats, a Fan Zone with family-friendly activities and several food trucks. We hope to see you there!
Our season opener is less than five weeks away as we kick off the 2022 campaign against Bethune-Cookman on September 3 at Hard Rock Stadium at 3:30 p.m. – the first of seven home games. Canes season tickets are a great value so if you haven’t yet purchased season tickets please click here for more information and tell a friend. We can’t wait to see you at Hard Rock cheering on the Canes all season long!
Standout goalkeeper Melissa Dagenais, who finished second in the ACC in saves last season, is one of nine returning starters for Sarah Barnes’ soccer team, which overall returns 83 percent of their minutes played and 82 percent of their goals from 2021. The Canes kick off their regular season on Thursday, August 18 against Mississippi State at 7 p.m. at Cobb Stadium.
Last season our volleyball team posted its most wins since 2012 and Jose Gandara’s squad looks to continue that momentum in 2022. First-team All-ACC selection Savannah Vach returns, as does fellow senior Janice Leao, who spent her summer training with USA Volleyball’s Collegiate National Team. The Canes open their regular season August 26 against Bryant at the Hofstra Invitational.
Our cross country team has a strong nucleus returning, led by Daphnee Lavassas, who posted the fastest NCAA regional time in school history last fall as the Canes posted their best ever regional team finish (13th). Austen Cannon and Elle Mezzio also return after strong freshmen campaigns.
Six Hurricanes were selected in the first 20 rounds of the 2022 MLB Draft last month, the second-most of any ACC school and the most for Miami since 2016. Pitcher Carson Palmquist was selected in the third round by the Colorado Rockies and was joined later by pitcher Alex McFarlane (fourth round, Philadelphia Phillies), catcher Maxwell Romero Jr. (ninth round, Washington Nationals), outfielder Jacob Burke (11th round, Chicago White Sox), pitcher Jake Garland (17th round, Oakland Athletics) and pitcher Andrew Walters (18th round, Baltimore Orioles). We are excited that Andrew, our All-American closer, has decided to return to the Canes. Congratulations to all!
We continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX legislation and support gender equity on and off the field through our Together 4 Her campaign. Please click here to find out how you can help. Since its inception Title IX has created millions of opportunities and millions of women have seized those opportunities to change our world for the better. I could not be prouder of our female coaches and staff members who have helped blaze that trail, and our current female student-athletes who will continue to accomplish great things and impact our future.
We take great pride in Athletics serving as one the University’s three pillars, and we also take great pride in our role in the University’s Ever Brighter campaign. Ever Brighter is UM’s most ambitious fundraising campaign ever, a $2.5 billion initiative that is accelerating our drive to shape a brighter future. As part of this campaign, Miami Athletics has an overall campaign goal of raising $225 million by 2025 which will directly impact our 400-plus student-athletes and equip us with the resources to compete at the highest level. Please visit miamihurricanes.com/everbrighter to learn how you can help!
We are working closely with the Atlantic Coast Conference office and our fellow ACC members to address the rapidly changing landscape around college athletics. Our goal remains the same – to put Miami in the best possible position for current and future success on and off the field.
Our Canes Community is stronger than ever thanks to your continued support. Enjoy the rest of your summer. Thank you from all of us at Miami Athletics and Go Canes!
Dan Radakovich
